The Soap News: Everything You Want to Know and More

Soap News was an impressive site that offered soap fans everything they want to know, plus more! It covered in depth information about the two NBC soap operas: Guiding Light and As the World Turns.

In 2001, Sherri, the creator and soap news poster of the site posted on her Spoiler Center Page: "08/23/01: I am so very sorry that it has been so long since the site has been updated. My mom passed away on 8/19/01. As soon as things calm down some, I will start updating the site once again. Thank you all for sticking by me in this tough time. Sherri"

Sherri did a fantastic job keeping all her viewers updated on the news and previews of Guiding Light and As the World Turns. The site delved into these two soap with a fine pick comb. Her Spoiler Central Page covered the best know soaps of ABC, CBS, and NBC. Plus, Soap- News.com also had links to other Soap Fan sites. It was such a bummer for me when Soap- News.com disappeared from the web.

Recently I discovered that the domain was available, so I bought it with the goal of recreating enough of its original content from archived pages to show just the tip of the effort Sherri put into building this incredible site. But the amount of information turned out to be overwhelming in its amount. So I am showing only parts of four pages below: the home page, and three Guiding Light pages. I did not want someone else to purchase the domain and re-purpose the site for something that had nothing in common with the original Soap-News.com website.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAGE CONTAINS SELECTIVE ARCHIVED CONTENT FROM THE ORIGINAL SITE.

Since the site will not be exactly as you remember it, please be indulgent
Now let's take a nostalgic stroll back to about 2001 and see what's going on at Soap-News.com.

​Fade in to the home page with its six important links that took visitors into the rest of the site.

Welcome to Soap News.Com!

As The World Turns News & Previews

Guiding Light News & Previews

Spoiler Central

Soap Opera Events Calendar

Soap Opera Online Directory

Message Central

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Guiding Light

The fictional Midwest town of Springfield provides the backdrop for this continuing rich tale. The Bauer, Spaulding, Lewis, Cooper and Santos families form the backbone of the community as Springfield's residents face life and love amid the greatest of challenges.

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**Guiding Light's Origin

Guiding Light was created by Irna Phillips. It began with a radio broadcast on January 25, 1937. It's first television broadcast was on June 30, 1952 and was 15 minutes long. From that time until August 1956 the cast did the same scripts for radio and television each day. Although Guiding Light was still the number one radio show, it was cancelled due to a declincing audience. On September 9, 1968, Guiding Light expanded to 30 minutes. It expanded to 60 minutes on November 7, 1977. It's original name was The Guiding Light. "The" was dropped from the name in 1977. This makes Guiding Light the longest running show in broadcast history.

When Irna was 19 years old she found out she was pregnant. She wasn't married and the father of the baby wanted nothing to do with Irna. She ended up giving birth to a still born baby. Out of this tragedy she gained comfort in the sermons of Dr. Preston Bradley. The sermons at the non-denominational Chicago church centered around the brotherhood of man. Twenty-seven years later she used this minister's preachings and theme as the basis for The Guiding Light.

The Guiding Light was centered around the Rev. Dr. John Ruthledge, the people who lived near him, and the people who came to him for help. A lamp in his study was always on as a sign to those who need his help. The lamp was known by all as "The Guiding Light." Rev. Ruthledge ran the Little Church of Five Points in Five Points, a Chicago suburb. Rev. Ruthledge was a widower and had one daughter named Mary Ruthledge. A boy named Ned Holden was left in the Rev. Ruthledge's care. He raised him as his son.

Rev. Ruthledge left the Little Church of Five Points to work in Europe and was replaced by Rev. Dr. Richard Gaylord, then Rev. Frank Tuttle, then the Rev. Dr. Paul Keeler.

Before Rev. Ruthledge died he gave his lamp to Ned and asked him to give it to his good friend from the seminary, Rev. Dr. Charles Matthews. Rev. Matthews lived in Selby Flats, a Los Angeles area neighborhood. Rev. Matthews then became the keeper of "The Guiding Light."

Years later the locale of The Guiding Light changed from Selby Flats to the fictional midwestern town of Springfield. This is the central location of the show today. To learn more about the characters and the stories, go to the GL characters page.

First episode date: June 30, 1952
Final episode date: September 18, 2009

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Guiding Light News & Previews Section

Each section and subsection below were links on the original site that took visitors to more informative pages.

News & Spoilers

News - Latest news.

Spoilers - Find out what happens next week on GL.

Casting News - Find out who will be on GL.

Chat Schedule - When and where to chat about GL

Cast & Crew Information

TPTB - Headwriters and producers.

Cast List - With links to their biographies and photos.

Crew List - Those behind the scenes.

Birthday List - Do you share a birthday with a GL star?

Contract Status Report - To help keep you up-to-date.

Where Are They Now? - Update on some ex-GL actors and actresses.

Misc. Cast & Crew Info - Short bios on some former cast and crew members.

Guiding Light News 2001

December 9, 2001 - Look for Wendy Moniz (ex- Dinah) to join the cast of The Guardian on a recurring basis starting on December 11th.

November 24, 2001 - In the November 27th issue of Soap Opera Weekly, there is an article and interview with Wesley Ramsey (Sam).

July 16, 2001 - Congratulations go out to Beth Ehlers (Harley) and her husband. Beth gave birth to a 7lb. 15oz. boy, Will, on July 16th at 10:33am. Ehlers also has a 2yr. old boy named Henry Jack.

June 3, 2001 - Billy Kay (Shayne) has been cast in a new movie, Halloween 8: Evil Never Dies. The film will also star Jamie Lee Curtis, Tyra Banks and Busta Rhymes.

May 6, 2001 - Soap City is reporting that a new headwriter is starting on May 7th. Lucky Gold, GL's new headwriter has previously written for Another World and One Life To Live as well as films for several different movie companies.

May 6, 2001 - Paulo Benedeti (ex-Jesse) will be joining the Bold & the Beautiful on May 29th as Antonio Dominguez, an up and coming fashion designer.

May 4, 2001 - In the May 8th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Maureen Garrett (Holly) is the Feature Interview. In the Now & Then Section, On The Run, take a look back at characters on the run from the law. Get Up Close & Personal with Victoria G. Platt (Vicky), find out what honor David Andrew Macdonald (Edmund) recently received. Find out more about how Crystal Chappell (Olivia) and hubby Michael Sabatino (ex- Vince) find time for each other since having a child. In the section, Everlasting Love, Reva and Josh Lewis are featured.

May 4, 2001 - In the May 8th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) was voted number 1 and Bradley Cole (Richard) was voted number 2 for the top 5 actors. For the actresses, Nancy St. Alban (Michelle) was voted number 1 and Laura Wright (Cassie) was voted number 3. For the couples, Michelle and Danny were voted number 1 and Cassie and Richard were voted number 2. To vote for your favorites, go to the SID Poll page where all you have to do is click on the link to vote.

May 1, 2001 - In the May 1st issue of Soap Opera Digest, in the section, Couples Who Should have never wed, Alan Spaulding and Hope Bauer are featured.

April 27, 2001 - Tina Sloan (Lillian) will appear in the May 7 episode of Third Watch. Check your local listings.

April 27, 2001 - Don’t miss Kim Zimmer’s (Reva) appearance on Wheel of Fortune during “SoapCity Week.” The GL star will appear as a celebrity contestant during the week of April 30. For more information, check your local listings.

April 19, 2001 - CBS.com has added a Q&A with Beth Chamberlin (Beth). To read it, go to CBS.com.

April 19, 2001 - Guiding Light has been nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama by the National Council of La Raza for the 2001 ALMA Awards (American Latino Media Arts Awards). In addition, Miriam Colon (Maria) and Saundra Santiago (ex- Carmen) have also received nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama. The 2001 Alma Awards ceremony will tape on Sunday, April 22 in Los Angeles and will air Friday, June 1 on ABC.

April 19, 2001 - Terrell Tilford (David) and Victoria G. Platt (Vicky) will be getting married this September in New Orleans.

April 15, 2001 - In the April 24th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Bradley Cole (Richard) was voted number 1 and Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) was voted number 2 for the top 5 actors. For the actresses, Laura Wright (Cassie) was voted number 1 and Nancy St. Alban (Michelle) was voted number 3. For the couples, Cassie and Richard were voted number 1 and Michelle and Danny were voted number 4. To vote for your favorites, go to the SID Poll page where all you have to do is click on the link to vote.

April 15, 2001 - In the special section, It's A Miracle, Zachary Smith, the former angel, is featured.

April 15, 2001 - In the April 24th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Beth Raines is the featured Character Profile. Get Up Close & Personal with Michael O'Leary (Rick). Find out what Wesley A. Ramsey (Sam) likes to do this time of the year. Find out where Jessica Jiminez (Catalina) was moving to when she auditioned for Guiding Light. In the special section, Three's A Crowd, the Reva/Josh/Olivia triangle is featured. Find out what Peter Hermann (ex- Dr. Michael Burke) has been up to since leaving Guiding Light.

April 8, 2001 - Ron Raines (Alan) will perform with the Chattanooga Symphony on Friday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. For tickets, call 423-267-8583.

April 8, 2001 - Congratulations go out to Brittany Snow (Susan), who received a Young Artist Award in the Best Performance in a Daytime Series category. Hayden Panettiere (ex-Lizzie) also picked up a Supporting Young Actress Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film for her role in Remember the Titans.

April 8, 2001 - Congratulations go out to Beth Ehlers (Harley) and her husband Matt Christian. They are expecting their second child this summer. Their first child, Henry, will be 2 in May.

March 30, 2001 - In the April 10th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) was voted number 1 and Bradley Cole (Richard) was voted number 2 for the top 5 actors. For the actresses, Nancy St. Alban (Michelle) was voted number 1 and Laura Wright (Cassie) was voted number 2. For the couples, Michelle and Danny were voted number 1 and Cassie and Richard were voted number 2. To vote for your favorites, go to the SID Poll page where all you have to do is click on the link to vote.

March 30, 2001 - In the April 10th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, the feature interview is the party that launched Guiding Light's Official Website. In the Now & Then Section, they look at past and present Power Struggles. Get Up Close & Personal with Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny), find out what is making George Alvarez (Ray) smile these days and learn more about Elizabeth Hobgood's (May/Mary) dog. They look at the Sonni/Solita storyline as well as the Teri DeMarco/Annie Dutton storyline.

March 30, 2001 - In the April 3rd issue of Soap Opera Digest, there is an interview with Terrell Tilford (David) and Victoria G. Platt (Vicky). In the special feature of Soaps Most Divorced Characters, Reva Shayne is featured.

March 30, 2001 - In the April 10th issue of Soap Opera Update, there is an article on Tina Sloan (Lillian). Jordi Vilasuso (Tony) talks about his favorite pastime.

March 30, 2001 - The New York Daily News has added an article on FBI Agent Gus Aitoro. To read it, go to New York Daily News.

March 26, 2001 - In the March 27th issue of Soap Opera Digest, they take a look into the closet of Beth Chamberlin (Beth). Laura Bell Bundy (Marah) goes on a shopping trip with Costume Designer Shawn Dudley. Blake Marler (Elizabeth Keifer) is featured in the style section for her character: hair, makeup and clothes.

March 26, 2001 - Jean Carol (ex- Nadine) stars in Perfuct, a play at the Egyptian Arena Theatre in Hollywood. It started March 17th and is slated to run six weeks. For more information, call (323) 243-4488 or visit the website at http://www.ezstagetix.com.

March 26, 2001 - In the March 27th issue of Soap Opera Weekly, Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) is named as one of soaps "Perfect 10" men. SOW also says the pairing of Marah and Tony is a "Miss" because of a lack of chemistry.

March 18, 2001 - CBS.com has added a Q&A with Ron Raines (Alan). It goes into the internet and his storyline.

March 18, 2001 - In the March 27th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Bradley Cole (Richard) was voted number 1 and Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) was voted number 2 for the top 5 actors. For the actresses, Laura Wright (Cassie) was voted number 1 and Nancy St. Alban (Michelle) was voted number 2. For the couples, Cassie and Richard were voted number 1 and Michelle and Danny were voted number 2. To vote for your favorites, go to the SID Poll page where all you have to do is click on the link to vote.

March 18, 2001 - In the March 27th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Michael O'Leary (Rick) is the feature interview. Check out the past blind storylines in the Now & Then Section. Get Up Close & Personal with Robert Newman (Josh). Learn more about how Nancy St. Alban got the part of Michelle. Find out what Jordi Vilasuso (Tony) did as a teenager. In the Dearly Departed section, Michael Zaslow (ex- Roger) and Charita Bauer (ex- Bert) are featured as great actors who will be always missed. Go behind the scenes of Cassie and Reva's car crash.

March 18, 2001 - Melina Kanakaredes (ex- Eleni) stars in the movie 15 Minutes, now in theaters. The film also stars Robert De Niro.

March 18, 2001 - Susan Pratt (Claire) has gone from recurring status to on contract.

March 18, 2001 - In the March 20th issue of Soap Opera Digest, in the Hot Shot section, Jordi Vilasuso (Tony) is featured. In the Lucky Charm section, Edmond Winslow is featured.

March 11, 2001 - Cynthia Watros (ex- Annie) and her husband are expecting twins in August.

March 11, 2001 - Anthony Addabbo (ex- Jim) will be appearing on General Hospital replacing Michael Nader who plays Dimitri. Nader was arrested on February 24th and charged with selling cocaine and resisting arrest. Addabbo will be playing the part temporarily while Nader is in rehab.

February 25, 2001 - In the February 27th issue of Soap Opera Digest, in the section, thanks for the memories, Jerry ver Dorn (Ross) is featured.

February 25, 2001 - In the February 27th issue of Soap Opera Digest, Michelle and Danny's night together in New York, was the Editor's Choice for the week.

February 25, 2001 - In the February 27th issue of Soap Opera Weekly, the pairing of Edmond and Beth is a "Hit". They claim the pairing is GL's next supercouple.

February 25, 2001 - Don't forget to watch the mini-series Me and My Shadows: My Life With Judy Garland. Tammy Blanchard (ex- Drew) plays a young Judy Garland in the mini-series.

February 18, 2001 - CBS.com has added a Q&A with Laura Wright (Cassie). To read it, go to CBS.com.

February 18, 2001 - In the February 20th issue of Soap Opera Weekly, there is an interview with Kim Zimmer (Reva) and Mark Dobies (Noah) where they talk about Noah and Reva's love life.

February 15, 2001 - In the February 27th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, the feature interview is with Kim Zimmer (Reva) and Mark Dobies (Noah). Take a look at Now & Then, they take a look back at couples reuniting. Get Up Close & Personal with Beth Chamberlin (Beth), find out what Laura Bell Bundy (Marah) thought about her appearance as a court reporter on Curtis Court and find out what other character Grant Aleksander (Phillip) is still recognized for. Find out what makeup products Beth Chamberlin (Beth) uses on the set. In the section, Setside Love, Crystal Chappell (Olivia) and Michael Sabatino (ex- Vince) are featured as well as Terrell Tilford (David) and Victoria Platt (Vicky) are featured. In the section Daytime's Most Beautiful Gowns, Cassie and Olivia's wedding gowns are featured. Find out what Jay Hammer (ex- Fletcher) is up to these days.

February 15, 2001 - In the February 27th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Bradley Cole (Richard) was voted number 1 and Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) was voted number 2 for the Top 5 Actors in the readers poll. For the actresse, Laura Wright (Cassie) was voted number 1 and Nancy St. Alban was voted number 3. Cassie and Richard were voted number 1 and Michelle and Danny were voted number 2 for the couples. To vote for your favorites, go to the SID Poll page where all you have to do is click on the link to vote.

February 15, 2001 - In the February 27th issue of Soap Opera Update, they are reporting that Frank Grillo (ex- Hart) and Wendy Moniz (ex- Dinah) were married last October. Wendy Moniz can now be seen Friday nights on Nash Bridges (CBS). In the section Starshine, David Andrew MacDonald (Edmond) is given an honorable mention. The section applauds the best performers on the screen. In the section, Storyline In Photos, they feature Buzz Cooper. Josh & Olivia are featured in the section, Will These Marriages Survive?

February 15, 2001 - In the February 20th issue of Soap Opera Digest, in the section Soaps Sexiest Couples, Harley and Phillip are featured. There is a wonderful picture of Crystal Chappell (Olivia), her husband Michael Sabatino (ex- Vince) and their baby on the back cover.

February 11, 2001 - Jerry ver Dorn (Ross) and Elizabeth Keifer (Blake) now have their own online fan club site. It is just getting started but to take a look at what is available now, go to http://www.lizandjerry.com.

February 11, 2001 - SoapCity is going to be hosting a chat with Jordi Vilasuso (Tony) and Laura Bell Bundy (Marah) on February 20th at 6p.m. PT/9p.m.ET! To join the chat, go tohttp://chat.yahoo.com.

February 10, 2001 - Grant Aleksander (Phillip) will appear at the Her Style...Women's Lifestyle Event at Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD on Saturday, February 24 from 11:00AM - 2:00PM. For more information, check out www.herstyleonline.com.

February 10, 2001 - Paula Garces (Pilar) is currently filming a key role in Clockstoppers. The movie is a sci-fi adventure about a young man who comes face-to-face with the greatest challenge of his life. Garces plays his companion, Francesca. Co-starring along with Garces is Jesse Bradford, French Stewart, Michael Biehn, Robin Thomas and Julia Sweeney.

February 4, 2001 - Crystal Chappell (Olivia), Justin Deas (Buzz) and George Alvarez (Ray) will appear as part of the S.O.P.E. Theater Company (formerly known as the Guiding Light Actors' Workshop) in Death and the Maiden at the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center in Nyack, NY, on Sunday, February 18. The reading is being directed by Terrell Tifford (David). For ticket information call 845-358-6333.

February 4, 2001 - CBS.com has added a Q&A with Brittany Snow (Susan). She talks about some of her favorite internet sites and her tastes in music. Click here to read what she has to say.

February 2, 2001 - In the February 13th issue of Soap Opera Update, there is an interview with George Alvarez (Father Ray) where he talks about his hidden passion and about not getting caught up in the showbiz life.

February 2, 2001 - Ethan Erickson (ex- J.) is currently filming Dorian, a remake of The Picture of Dorian Gray. It should hit theaters sometime this summer.

February 2, 2001 - In the February 13th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Bradley Cole (Richard) is the feature interview where he talks about the play he is currently in and the re-release of his music cds. Read out Forbidden Love in the Now & Then section. Get Up Close & Personal with Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny), read about what Elizabeth Keifer (Blake) and her husband Bobby do weekly and find out about Beth Chamberlin's (Beth) big project. In the section Will You Marry Me, where soap stars reveal their proposals, Mark Dobies (Noah) talks about his proposal as well as Kim Zimmer (Reva).

February 1, 2001 - In the February 13th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, in the top 5 actors, Bradley Cole (Richard) was voted number 1 and Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) was voted number 2. For the actresses, Laura Wright (Cassie) was voted number 1 and Nancy St. Alban (Michelle) was voted number 2. Cassie and Ricard were voted number 1 and Michelle and Danny were voted number 2 for the couples. To vote for your favorites, go to the SID Poll page where all you have to do is click on the link to vote for your favorites.

February 1, 2001 - In the February 6th issue of Soap Opera Weekly, in the Hit or Miss section, the mouse chase at Company was a miss.

January 28, 2001 - In the January 30th issue of Soap Opera Digest, Danny and Michelle making love is one of the features in Once and Again. Lisa Brown (ex- Nola) talks about moving behind the camera. Grant Aleksander (Phillip) talks about how he keeps in shape. Elizabeth Keifer (Blake) talks about past roles she has played. GL got a thumbs up from SOD for the Lemay house fire. In the section, Soaps Most Shocking Videos, they feature Alan-Michael and Blake back when they were married and when Blake suspected Alan-Michael was cheating on her, she set up a video camera in hopes of catching him.

January 21, 2001 - In the January 23rd issue of Soap Opera Weekly, the Lemay house fire was a HIT with the editors. Kim Zimmer (Reva) was named Hip Star of the Week. There is an interview with Susan Pratt (Claire).

January 21, 2001 - In the January 30th issue of Soap Opera Update, read about Tammy Blanchard (ex- Drew) and her role of a lifetime, playing Judy Garland in the tv mini-seriesMe and My Shadows: Life with Judy Garland which will be shown on February 25th and 26th on ABC.

January 21, 2001 - In the January 30th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) was voted number 1 and Bradley Cole (Richard) was voted number 2 for the top 5 actors. For the actresses, Laura Wright (Cassie) was voted number 1 and Nancy St. Alban was voted number 2. Michelle and Danny were voted number 2 for the couples. To vote for your favorites, go to the SID Poll page.

January 21, 2001 - In the January 30th issue of CBS Soaps In Depth, Robert Newman is the featured interview. SID also looks back at past hidden truths. Find out what sports Mark Dobies (Noah) played in college, find out what Susan Pratt (Claire) does when she is not on the GL set and find out why Nancy St. Alban (Michelle) can't wait for her character to go into labor. Look back at Olivia and Josh's wedding including pictures and the vows. Check out the Me vs. My Character where David Andrew MacDonald (Edmond) answers the same questions as himself and then as his character.

January 21, 2001 - In the January 23rd issue of Soap Opera Digest, in the Lonesome Loser section, Holly Lindsey-Reade is featured.

January 21, 2001 - Soap City is looking for GL viewers to help celebrate Guiding Lights 64th Anniversary. January 25th marks Guiding Light’s 64th anniversary and we are asking you, the viewer, to help honor the occasion! What’s your earliest memory of Guiding Light? Was there a specific character or storyline that made you a fan of the show? Do you wish to share an anecdote or a snapshot of an encounter you had with a Springfield star? Do you have a burning question for one of the actors? E-mail us -- and each day, for 64 days, we will feature a viewer’s response or recollection with others on this website. Be sure to hurry with your e-mails, though, as the date is fast approaching. Click here to e-mail them your memories.

January 21, 2001 - Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny) will appear at the Turtle Creek Casino in Traverse City, MI on Saturday, February 10 from 8:00-9:30 p.m. For more information, call 800-922-2WIN.

January 16, 2001 - Maeve Kinkead (ex- Vanessa) will be making a guest appearance on Days Of Our Lives the week of February 5th along with many other ex- soap favorites.

January 16, 2001 - Congratulations go out to Terrell Tilford (David) and Victoria Platt (Vicky). The two were engaged over the Christmas holidays. No date has been set.

January 14, 2001 - In the January 16th issue of Soap Opera Digest, in the Soap Superhero section, Josh Lewis was named for GL. Mark Dobies (Noah) is the featured actor on Take Five on the back cover of the magazine.

January 7, 2001 - Soap City has added a behind the scenes look at the Lemay House Fire. To view it, Click here.

January 7, 2001 - Bradley Cole (Richard) is going to be appearing Off-Broadway, January 12 - February 11, in the play Code of the West, a comedy set in Victorian San Francisco. Performances will be held at the Mint Theater in New York City, located at 311 West 43rd Street. Evening shows begin at 8:00 p.m.; matinees at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for the show are $30 and available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200.

January 7, 2001 - CBS.com has added pics of Olivia and Josh's wedding. To view them, Click here. They also interviewed the happy couple. For Robert Newman's (Josh) interview, Click here and for Crystal Chappell's (Olivia) interview, Click here.